Hidden Champions and their integration in rural regional innovation systems: Insights from Germany

This article studies the integration of Hidden Champions – little-known highly innovative global market leaders – in rural regional innovation systems (RIS) in Germany. These firms are analyzed in relation to their integration into a RIS framework, which differentiates two subsystems: knowledge generation and diffusion, and knowledge application and exploitation. The relevance of firm-internal and firm-external regional influencing factors on rural RIS integration is examined. The article proposes that Hidden Champions are weakly integrated in RIS due to their international sales focus and high technological specialization. To test this premise, 57 expert interviews with Hidden Champions and regional actors were conducted. It was found that key influences for RIS integration of this firm type are ownership structure, firm size, organizational status, location economies, and urbanization economies. Family businesses are on average more integrated than other firm types, but vary significantly in their integration.

Theoretical bases for the development of the Chinese-Belarusian industrial park “Veliky kamen” as a center for innovative, regional growth and international competitiveness

The article examines the mechanism of functioning of the Chinese-Belarusian industrial park “Veliky kamen”. The conclusion is made about the expediency of further development of the park as a center of innovative, regional growth and increasing the international competitiveness of the Belarusian economy. A review of theories and concepts that form the theoretical foundations of improving the park model is carried out. Among them: the theory of polarized development, international competitiveness, regional innovation systems, the concept of realizing the spatial advantages of economic activity (agglomeration, urban governance). The policy of further development of the park in the following areas has been substantiated: the formation of an innovative environment for residents; formation of a cluster model; increasing the international competitiveness of the park through the use of management innovations, expanding service services, including using digital technologies, implementing the effects of agglomeration when creating a satellite city on the basis of the park.

Indonesia's innovation system in the face of global change

The article presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of the functioning of the national innovation system of Indonesia and identifies the main trends in its development in the context of global changes. An overview of the basic concept of the NIS and the methods of its research is given, the main elements of the system are highlighted. The author has studied in detail the activities of organizations that are part of the national system, identified their advantages and disadvantages. Special attention is paid to the experience and problems of the formation of regional innovation systems. On the example of the city of Bandung, a positive experience of promoting innovative development in the region is studied. Based on the results obtained, the author made the appropriate conclusions and recommendations for improving the policy of strengthening NIS and RIS to counter global challenges.

China’s National and Regional Innovation Systems

This chapter provides an updated discussion of China’s national and regional innovation systems. First, it introduces the unique development path and distinct characteristics of China’s national and regional innovation systems. Second, it reviews the evolution of China’s national and regional innovation systems, which is divided into five periods: the pre-reform era (1949–1978), the end of the chaos and the beginning of a new era (1978–1985), the reform of China’s science and technology (S&T) system (1985–1998), the scaling-up of S&T system reform (1998–2006), and the improvement of the national S&T system (2006–2013). Third, it describes the overall structure of China’s national innovation system, illustrating the components and interactions (e.g., university-industry linkages, military and civilian integration) within the system. Then, it evaluates the overall performance of China’s national and regional innovation systems. Lastly, it points out future directions for deepening the reform of China’s national innovation system and continuing to pursue innovation-driven development.